Procter & Gamble has quite a few announcements…

Dimitri Panayotopoulos, vice chairman/advisor to the chairman and CEO, will retire from the company, effective January 2, 2014, after 37 years of service.

A.G. Lafley, chairman of the board, president/CEO, commented:
“We appreciate Dimitri’s considerable contributions over his long and successful career, building leading positions for the company in Egypt and then the Middle East, China, Central and Eastern Europe, and Africa. He concluded his distinguished career by leading our global business units through challenging times.”

Panayotopoulos joined P&G in 1977. He served in sales and general management roles spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, eventually overseeing all P&G brands as vice chair – global business units. He was elected to his current role as advisor to the CEO effective July 1, 2013.

TWO MORE RETIREES

P&G also announced that Bruce Brown, chief technology officer, will also retire – on August 31, 2014, after more than 34 years of service. Until that time, effective February 1, 2014, Brown has been named Officer on Special Assignment.”

In addition, Robert L. Fregolle, Jr., global customer business development officer, will retire on June 30, 2014, after more than 36 years of service. Until that time, effective February 1, 2014, Fregolle has been named Officer on Special Assignment.

Lafely said: “These changes demonstrate the depth and strength of P&G’s leadership bench. Dimitri, Bruce and Bob have each served P&G for more than 34 years and have made a lasting, positive impact on the company.”

Brown began his P&G career in 1980, and served in Research & Development roles his entire career, culminating in his election to the position of Chief Technology Officer in 2008. At P&G, the Chief Technology Officer is responsible for the Company’s innovation capabilities and global R&D organization. During his nearly six years in this role, Brown has launched several important innovations and established the key technology platforms that will drive P&G’s innovation programs in the future.

Fregolle joined P&G in 1979. He spent the majority of his P&G sales career outside of the U.S., in leadership roles across Central and Eastern Europe and Asia, before returning to the U.S. to lead P&G’s Global Customer Business Development organization in 2009. During his 36-year career, he strengthened customer relationships across developed and developing markets and significantly increased the reach of P&G’s distribution around the world.

TWO NEW LEADERS TAKE THE REIGNS

Kathleen B. Fish will succeed Brown as P&G’s new Chief Technology Officer, effective February 1, 2014. Fish is currently vice president – research & development, global fabric care. She will report to Lafley.

Carolyn M. Tastad, will succeed Fregolle as P&G’s Global Customer Business Development Officer, effective February 1, 2014. Tasted is currently vice president–global market strategy & planning and one go-to-market optimization. She will report to Werner Geissler, vice chairman–global operations, as well as Lafley.

Lafley added, “Kathy and Carolyn are experienced P&G leaders who will continue to strengthen our innovation and go-to-market capabilities going forward.”

Fish joined P&G in 1979 and has led R&D teams in most of P&G’s leading core categories over her 34-year career, including Baby Care, Hair Care and Fabric Care. Most recently, she led the R&D team behind the launch of Tide Pods and Downy Unstopables.

Tastad began her P&G career in 1983. She has deep experience leading sales and market development organizations for P&G businesses in the U.S., Canada, Europe and globally, and has worked in a range of businesses including deep experience in Health and Beauty.

MORE CHANGES

P&G also announced that Kirk Perry, currently President–Global Family Care, will leave P&G effective December 2, 2013, to pursue other interests.

Steven D. Bishop, currently Group President–Global Feminine Care, will be named Group President–Global Feminine and Family Care. Bishop will continue to report to Martin Riant, Group President–Global Baby, Feminine and Family Care.

PHOTO – clockwise, left-right: Dimitri Panayotopoulos; Bruce Brown; Robert L. Fregolle Jr.
Photos: courtesy of P&G.com